Scarlets crowned champions

Scarlets crowned champions

Scarlets Academy Manager Kevin George believes his young players have the ability to emulate the likes of Rhys Priestland and George North after they were crowned U18 regional champions on Sunday.

Things go in cycles but this is the best group of boys I've had through

George's side were narrow 19-18 winners over Cardiff Blues at St Helens on Sunday and with more than 10 players in the current Welsh U18 squad, he believes a number of his squad can emulate the success of North and co by gaining international honours.

"Things go in cycles but this is the best group of boys I've had through," he said.

"A few years ago we had the likes of Rhys Priestland, George North and more recently Sampson Lee come through and this group measures up to that.

"We think things are going right for us at the moment and hopefully we can get another breed of internationals coming through."

Tries from Josh Adams and Steff Evans and three penalties from Jack Maynard secured a narrow win over a previously unbeaten Blues side.

The game was played in poor conditions with heavy showers and a strong wind hindering free-flowing rugby.

It was the young Scarlets who played the conditions better, their forwards retaining the ball and winning the collisions.

The front row of Javan Sebastian, Torin Myhill and Bradley Davies were particularly effective and set the platform for the game with their dominance in the scrum.

Playing into a strong wind, half backs Maynard and Gareth Rees worked the ball well and made sure they went into half time 13-8 up courtesy of a try from Adams.

The second half saw the Blues struggle to clear their lines in the strong winds. Maynard took advantage by adding two penalties and from there on in, they didn't relinquish the lead.

More pressure on the Blues amounted to a try for Evans who pounced on a loose pass to score.

And although the Blues threw everything at them to get back into the game, the Scarlets held on.

The victory was just reward for George's side in a competition which has produced countless numbers of both regional and national players.

"There are a lot of thoughts about what the championship is for but for us, it's about giving the boys experience," he added.

"It was a great outcome for us and we are delighted that boys who have been with us for three years have come out with an achievement from it.

"The game was played in the right manner in poor conditions but we ground out the win."

With attention now turning to the Wales U18 games, George is hoping Sunday's success can have a lasting impact for a number of his players.

"There's lots going on at the moment and this success may reinforce a number of positions for the players in the national side," he argued.

"A number of our players are already in the Academy and we've got some more coming through.

"The WRU programme has been a huge benefit and to see the physical development of the boys was great.

"They have the capacity to go on to the next stage and hopefully we can get them to do that."